What if Mecca was irradiated by nuclear fallout

[BornInMarch]

According to Islam, the five duties all Muslims have are Shahada (profession of faith), Salah (prayer), Sawm (fasting), Zakat (alms-giving), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).

The latter one is something that ALL Muslims must complete at least once in their lifetime, though Muslims who are physically or financially incapable of completing this get a free pass (for example, a Muslim person on life support wouldn’t need to complete a Hajj).

But what if it became impossible for any follower of Islam to complete a Hajj? With the advent of nuclear nuclear weapons or nuclear power, it is possible to render an area of the Earth hazardous to visit for decades or even centuries. I assume Saudi Arabia isn’t going to risk building a Nuclear Power Plant in Mecca, but there are people who are willing to use violence to hurt Muslims.

If a nuclear weapon was detonated in Mecca and visiting the area carried the risk of radiation poisoning, how would Islam respond to this? Would there be a moratorium on the yearly Hajj until the area was cleaned up? If not, would every Muslim’s soul be doomed (assume the radiation is too intense even for Hazmat suits)? Would Hajj’s continue except with pilgrims doing their part to clean up the area?

 

[Strydersroom]

In any thermostat nuclear war, the whole world would lose.

 

[Michael68]

I don’t think anyone, including the US, would ever do that.

 

[Son_of_Niall]

I don’t think anyone, including the US, would ever do that.

The US is the only country in the world that has used nuclear weapons in war.
We also used depleted uranium in Iraq.

 

[Gertabelle]

I would think that all Muslims would, as you say, “get a pass” for being physically unable to go to Mecca. If you can’t go, you can’t go.

Odd question though…

 

[GEddie]

There already are Muslims who for visa reasons cannot go to Saudi Arabia, so cannot make the Hajj.

If one can’t go, then full stop.

I too consider this a very strange thing to consider.

ICXC NIKA

 

[BornInMarch]

I too consider this a very strange thing to consider.

ICXC NIKA

Why?

The US isn’t the only group to have nuclear weapons; lots of nations have weapons of mass destruction, and there are many more nations and groups trying to get their hands on them.

It need not even be by malice: nuclear weapons aren’t always stored and transported properly so accidents do happen.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1958_Mars_Bluff_B-47_nuclear_weapon_loss_incident

 

[Michael68]

Why?

The US isn’t the only group to have nuclear weapons; lots of nations have weapons of mass destruction, and there are many more nations and groups trying to get their hands on them.

It need not even be by malice: nuclear weapons aren’t always stored and transported properly so accidents do happen.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1958_Mars_Bluff_B-47_nuclear_weapon_loss_incident

Transporting lots of nuclear weapons near Mecca? There’s your story. I would want to know about these weapons

 

[Tarquin]

There already are Muslims who for visa reasons cannot go to Saudi Arabia, so cannot make the Hajj.

If one can’t go, then full stop.

I too consider this a very strange thing to consider.

ICXC NIKA

Even if one cannot physically go, one is still obligated to go. It is allowed for a person to perform a hajj by proxy. Many people who because of age or infirmity cannot make hajj, have a relative or friend, or just a good Muslim “Samaritan” go on their behalf.

 

[Tarquin]

There are many Muslims who are Muslim in name only, who harbor atheist views. The Qur’an warns of “hypocrites” like these. There are also many people who are favorably disposed towards a religion other than Islam - Christianity or Buddhism, for example - but who cannot express their genuine beliefs. If Muslims themselves feel justified in desecrating Mecca - as some did in 1979, motivated by sincere but mistaken beliefs, how much easier will it be for non-Muslims, atheists, and hypocrites to do the same. It is more likely to me, that any damage to Mecca will be committed by persons claiming to be Muslim and claiming to purify Islam and Mecca, as was done in 1979, and to a degree in 1916 with the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Caliphate.

If Mecca were destroyed, the hajj could still take place. If the land is quarantined, temporary substitutes can be set up nearby. If the land is not quarantined, replacement monuments can be set up where or as near as possible, the original sites were located. If the earth itself were disintegrated, faithful Muslims would still find a way to do hajj.

 

[BornInMarch]

Transporting lots of nuclear weapons near Mecca? There’s your story. I would want to know about these weapons

Sorry; I forgot you all consider nuclear weaponry to be a joke.

 

[GEddie]

Unless the Saudi kingdom itself had the bomb, it’s hard to imagine bombs in transit through Mecca.

The USA no longer bases there. For a US or Israeli bomb to crash there, WW3 would already be in progress.

ICXC NIKA

 

[IgnatianPhilo]

I suppose those suits which they use in nuclear power plants/research facilities would sky rocket in popularity.

 

[Padres1969]

Seems pretty inflammatory to even post this topic. :bigyikes:

 

[claymcdermott]

I think her point is a thought experiment about, what if something happened to make it impossible to travel to Mecca for most of the world.

A real life example might be, like, a really aged recently manumitted Muslim ex slave living in the US just after the Revolution. He would have been unable when he was young and he now knows no Muslims who could really make the pilgrimage.

What do you do

 

[jeannetherese]

Seems pretty inflammatory to even post this topic. :bigyikes:

I agree.
In charity, should any community suffer such a disaster, the appropriate Christian response should be the provision of support to all residents, through material goods and medical care, through emotional support and succor, and through the offering of many prayers.
May God bless all of our brothers and sisters, His children, locally, in Mecca, and throughout the world.
Amen.

 

[GEddie]

I think her point is a thought experiment about, what if something happened to make it impossible to travel to Mecca for most of the world.

A real life example might be, like, a really aged recently manumitted Muslim ex slave living in the US just after the Revolution. He would have been unable when he was young and he now knows no Muslims who could really make the pilgrimage.

What do you do

One is exempt from the Hajj, if I understand correctly, if one cannot for financial or biomedical reasons undertake the journey.

Your example of an aged Muslim living in NA in 1781 might easily qualify on both counts. He’d be too infirm for the extremely long sea voyage and land travel. And a former slave would not have the means to finance such a journey, either for himself or by proxy.

ICXC NIKA

 

[BornInMarch]

I think her point is a thought experiment about, what if something happened to make it impossible to travel to Mecca for most of the world.

A real life example might be, like, a really aged recently manumitted Muslim ex slave living in the US just after the Revolution. He would have been unable when he was young and he now knows no Muslims who could really make the pilgrimage.

What do you do

I’m a HE. But yes, you are 100% correct about my intentions for posting this.

 

[Tarquin]

Allah weighs the intent and the ability.

And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allaah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence)”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:97]

This includes being able both physically and financially.

What is meant by being physically able is that one is sound in body and can bear the hardship of travelling to the sacred House of Allaah.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 196:
When you make intention to perform Hajj or Umrah, accomplish these to please Allah. But if you are prevented (from completing it) then offer to Allah any sacrifice you can afford, and do not shave your heads until the sacrifice reaches its place. …

Allah knows the condition of each individual, and any one who has a genuine excuse, whereby he/she could not perform the Hajj pilgrimage even once in their lifetime because of their **physical **or financial constraints; Allah will not hold them accountable on the Day of Judgment.

 

[drac16]

Fair question. I don’t know what would happen, to be honest. I’ve just been reading through Ibn Kathir’s book on End Times prophecy and it it’s brilliant; I highly reccomend it. It contains prophecies that seem to imply that Mecca will always be functional. Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] prophesied that the Dajjal will be barred from entering Mecca and Medina, but how can that happen if one or both of those cities cease to exist? that prophecy hinges on the existence of Mecca in order to be true.

Moreover, it is mentioned [in Ibn Kathir’s book] that Jesus Christ [peace be upon him] himself will do Hajj when he returns. Therefore, I am of the belief that Mecca and Medina will exist even until the last day. Some prophecies depend on Mecca existing, so I think it logically follows that God will never allow Mecca to be utterly destroyed. I hope that answers your question.